Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Sergio Ramos, Pedro Rumours

Manchester United's pursuit of Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos may not yet be dead in the water despite the apparent recent stalling of the move.

Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal refused to be drawn on the subject ahead of United’s International Champions Cup match on Tuesday against the San Jose Earthquakes, but he did not rule out the possibility that Ramos could move to Old Trafford, per Andrew Hush on ESPN FC: "I cannot talk about these rumours. I have said already in a lot of press conferences, it's a process and maybe Mr. Ramos is in the process, you never know."

According to Jason Burt in the Telegraph, United lodged a formal bid in excess of £30 million last month for the 29-year-old, but a switch never materialised.

However, La Liga expert Sid Lowe recently suggested the Spain international Ramos is open to a move to the Red Devils:

Previous reports suggested goalkeeper David De Gea would be used in a swap deal if United were to sign Ramos, per BBC Sport's Simon Stone.

But MailOnline's Ben Grounds wrote that De Gea's departure this summer is increasingly unlikely.

There is still plenty of time left in the transfer window and issues could be ironed out between United and Real.

While Van Gaal has not ruled anything out, a Ramos move to Old Trafford seems now a potentially far-fetched prospect, and Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi looks the more likely centre-back signing for United, per Fichajes.net (h/t the Express' Izzy Horsefield).

United's mooted move for Barcelona forward Pedro may also not come to fruition despite Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell suggesting there was truth in the rumours linking the Spaniard to the Manchester outfit:

In yet more cryptic comments, Van Gaal has hinted that United are indeed set to buy a striker—an unsurprising piece of news as Wayne Rooney is currently their only proven goalscorer—but not one with whom they have been linked in the media, per the club's website: 

"He’s in the process. It’s not the striker that the media has written about. You have to wait and see. The transfer period is open until August 31. You have to wait."

Following the arrivals of Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, United are in the process of building a strong team ahead of the new season.

With the addition of a high-quality centre-back and a new striker, the Red Devils would have built a squad capable of winning the Premier League title in 2015-16. 

Van Gaal is clearly on the lookout in both areas, but who will eventually come in over the summer window is still shrouded in mystery, which is no doubt the Dutchman's intention.